Numbers 1:38

Authorized King James Version

Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
דָ֔ן
of Dan
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
#3
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history
#4
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#5
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
H1
of their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#7
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#8
שֵׁמֹ֗ת
of the names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#9
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
from twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#11
שָׁנָה֙
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#13
כֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
יֹצֵ֥א
all that were able to go forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#15
צָבָֽא׃
to war
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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